Darron Dilemma for Ireland but is Trap to blame?

Prior to the recent European championships, I wrote about the boredom which players would have a great deal of trouble coming to terms with.

Seasoned Pro’s struggle with the security and the amount of spare time that they have at their disposal, therefore for any new recriuts to this kind of stifling environment the difficulties are significantly increased.

Furthermore, when you put into the mix that you don’t actually play in any of the games, three or four weeks can seem to be an excruciatingly long time, which has clearly been the case with Derryman Darron Gibson, who’s mood appears to have changed little with regard to how he feels he was treated by the Irish gaffer, Giovanni Trapattoni, at the finals.

Gibson’s decision to make himself unavailble has prompted a mixed reaction, which is probably more to do with the dissatisfaction of the Irish soccer fraternity towards Trap.

Normally, that kind of behaviour would have seen the Everton man subjected to all kinds of abuse and criticism.

Within the group selected by the Italian, there’s no doubt that Gibby-as he’s known in Derry- was amongst the most talented and technically gifted players, which I’m sure was probably the feeling within the Irish camp too.

The frustration for any player who feels he should be in the side, which contains- in his view- lesser players is incredible.

Therefore, when you put all the aforementioned into the mix it’s hardly surprisng Gibson has thrown a wobbly.

I understand why Giovanni went with the team selections for both of the opening games, I don’t necessarily agree with them but I see where’s he’s coming from. He wanted two holding players who are more comfortable defending than my fellow Derryman.

However, he certainly should have altered the side for the final game when there effectively was nothing at stake.

Gibson and McClean too – the entire country was crying out for the Sunderland winger to be included – should have started against Italy.

Darron will probably come to regret the decision he made last week but the entire episode smacks of very poor man-management, which isn’t just confined to the Gibson debacle.

There are many knives out at the moment, but to be honest Trap has only himself to blame.